Minimum-voltage network



April 18, 1950 S. L. GOLDSBOROUGH MINIMUM-VOLTAGE NETWORK Filed Nov. 28, 1947 JAMM: vvvv NM #j .1 if I L .5kg g 1 l "E t f E e .L l l.

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WITNESSES:

ATTORNEY kPatented Apr. 18, 1950 25eme?? n N WED TAT-E s ern 'r o F F l c E vMINIMUM-VOLTAGE NETWORK "Shirley L. Goldsborough, Basking Ridge, N. J., as-

" signorto `Westinghouse Electric Corporation, f EaSt'E'ittSburgh, lia., ya corporation of Pennsyl- 1 4vania.

, Application November 28, 1947, Serial No. 788,583

`4y Claims. 1

"'My'invention relates tOvOItage-'responsive devices Aiwhich `"are"designed'to respond 'to the smallest of two'or moreA voltages.

i The*object-ofmy"'invention is' to provide a minimum-voltage network from which anap- *preciableamount'ofpower canbe obtained without destroying theregulation or responseof the g-network.

f'\I-Ieretofore,. arminimum-voltage network has been known, as shown in the Harder Patent l:2,393,0l2t,` grantedf-January l5',V 1946. The network which wasfs'hown in this patent was subject to two importantlimitations, first because Jthe output-voltage of the network could not follow the lowest of the impressed control-voltages "below acertain" minimum value of the. controlvoltage, which was considerably above-zero, and second because this network required either a 'very small loading-resistance R1- which imposed afveryf--considerable fburdenfonf the vsuppl-y-circuit rectifier-bridge, or it required such a high regulation-circuit resistance Rs that a reasonable amount of energycould'notbe taken oi 'of the v'output-circuit of the network without ruiningfthe regulation or response to the minimum control-voltage.

It is a more specic biect of my present invention to provide a minimum-voltage network in which each of the unidirectional control voltages is irst subtracted from a constant reference-voltage, so that" the difference between the reference-Voltage and the minimum controlevoltage is the' :largest Yone ol.V the `resultant difference-voltages, then this largest differencevoltage is selected, by means of a rectifier included in each connection, so that a maximumvoltage response is obtained, then a two-coil ildifferential-'relay isprovided;linfwhich the restraint-coil is energized in'fr'esponse` to thei'maximum difference-Voltage, and the operating-ooit is constantly energized-so as to cancel the constamt-voltage part of' the applied differential rer:.straintvoltage,-leaving a: response toonly the minimum. :controlvoltaga With the foregoing and other objects in view, my invention consists'in the circuits, systems, combinations, apparatus and parts of apparatus, mhereinafter...describedand .,claimed,y and. illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of circuits and apparatus embodying my invention in illustrative form of embodiment, ings., 23, Limand waregJequivalent.. diagrams -which .lwillmbeg referred to.: in. .then explanation. "and Fig 61 is a diagrammatic View of circuits and vapparatus vembodying the essential featuresof variable controllingevoltages, Afroml which the lowest'voltage is; to beiselected and responded to',A and thatthese controlling-,voltages do not fd `have to'bedelta or'star'line-voltages.

My minimumivoltage `apparatus requires unidirectional. control-voltages, from which the tsmallest one is`tofbe selected and responded to, "and VYhence Vthe three alternating-current conand Bc;Y respectively,

i trol-voltages Ea',` Eband Ec of Fig, l are rectiedas bymeans of rectifier-bridges Ba, Bb the output-voltages of which arersmoothed'by ripple-suppressor iilters, indicatedfby"capacitors Ca, Caand Cc, respectively. TheY three rectied control-voltages are subtracted Yfrom* a common;network-point or conductor t,"by'having the positive output-terminals of the three bridges. Ba, Bb and Bc connected to this conductor t. The ,three negative bridge-.terminalslL I2 and I3; respectively, are connected;throughindividual rectiers Ra, Rb

"and Rc,respectively, to a common network-point 'or conductor with the rectiers. Re, Rb and Re connected in such polarity as to conduct Current only `towardthe point m, so that the potential of the ,point :r is raised to the potential of the I3 which has the highest positive voltage.

In the following discussion, it will always be assumed that the ,alternating-current control- "voltage" Es is the smallest of the three control- .':voltages EapEu and. Ec, corresponding to a "phase-A fault-condition on the line ABC. The `rectied or unidirectional bridge-voltage of this Tminimum control-circuitrEais represented by the y-hasf been subtractedA from .the potential of a .common point it.L -The rectierRaY therefore conducts current,y mits current-conducting direcu,tion,.,br i`nging the A potential of the point a: .up

to the potential of the maximum-voltage point II, which is also indicated by the reference-letter p, making the point a: more positive than either the point I2 or the point I3, but the rectiers Rb and Re cannot conduct current in the direction from :r to I2 or I3, thus cutting oii the points I2 and I3 from the network-point x, the same as if these points I2 and I3 had been disconnected from the point :c (neglecting the rectier leakage-current in the non-conducting direction).

The negative bridge-terminals II, I2 and I3 are each separately connected to a common network-point q, each through it own shunting resistor SR, but since the points I2 and I3 are efectually cut off from the network, by the rectiers Rb and Rc, attention may be directed exclusively to the resistor SR which connects the points p and q of the network.

The minimum-voltage network, in Fig. l, is really a maximum-voltage network, which receives power from a unidirectional source E1, which is represented by a battery, and which does not need to have a constant voltage, because its voltage, whatever it is, is nally cancelled out, in the relay-response, so that its voltage is immaterial, so long as it does not fall to too low a value, as will be subsequently pointed out. The positive terminal of the battery E1 is connected to the network-point q, and the negative terminal is connected to a network-point y. Between the network-points q and y is connected a potentiometer having a resistance R, which is divided into two portions hR and lcR by a slider which constitutes the network-point t. The voltage between the points t and y thus serves as a reference-voltage from which the minimum control-Voltage E2 is subtracted.

In accordance with my present invention, a relay I5 is provided, which is to be controlled or energized in response to the minimum control-voltage Ea or E2. Throughout the specication, I use the term relay as being broad enough to include either a relay or a regulator or any other voltage-responsive device, or the voltageresponsive part of any electroresponsive device, regardless of whether the device is impressedfwith any other controls other than the voltage-responsive control.

In the particular form of my invention which is shown in Fig. 1, I use a relay I5, or a relay-core I5, having two differential energizing or flux-producing coils thereon, two coils being used because the particular network which is shown could not supply a minimum-voltage response to a single relay-coil without the addition of loading-resistors which would increase the burden on the network, as will be subsequently pointed out, but I do not consider myself limited altogether to a two-coil relay. As shown, the relay I5 is a differential relay, having an operating-coil 2@ and a restraint-coil rR. The operating-coil 20 is energized from the terminals q and y of the source E1, and the restraint-coil 1R is energized from the previously mentioned network-terminals a: and y.

The operation oi my invention will be explained with reference to the equivalent diagrams and transformations shown in Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 5. Fig. 2 shows the equivalent of the network which energizes the restraint-winding TR. The alternatingcurrent control-voltage Ea and its rectier-bridge Bg, as shown in Fig. 1, are represented, in Fig. 2, by a source E2 and a rectifier Ba. The other two control-circuit sources and rectiers o1 Fig. 1 do not appear in Fig. 2, because they are out off from 4 the point a: by their rectiers Rb and Re, respec tively, as already explained.

Using Thevenins theorem, let us replace the equivalent network of Fig. 2, with the equivalent network of Fig. 5, using the transformations of Figs. 3 and 4.

Fig. 2 is the equivalent of Fig. 1 when the E. is the minimum alternating-current voltage, and when the current-ow is in the direction of the arrows I1 and I2 in Fig. 2, in an ideal case in whichv the rectier-resistances are assumed to be negli-- gibly small in the conducting direction, and in nitely large in the blocking direction.

Considering the terminals :c and 'y as the output-terminals of the Fig. 2 network, the network' acts as if it were replaced by a single internal'. E. M. F. En, in series with a single internal resistance R0, as shown in Fig. 5. The equivalent E. M. F. En is the open-circuit E. M. F. of the Fig.. 2 network, without the relay restraint-coil re sistance rR, as shown in Fig.3. The equivalent resistance R0, according to Thevenins theorem, isz the resistance of the Fig. 3 network with the sources E1 and Ez short-circuited, as shown in Fig. 4.

In Fig. 3, the sums of the voltages are zero in each of the two meshes, yielding EzhR (I2-I3) -SRI2=0 (1)v E1+hR(Iz-Is)-ICRI3=0 (2)I Solving these two equations for the current Iz, and remembering that (h-I-c) :1,

hE1+E2 I2* @MSW (3) In Fig. 3, the network E. M. F. En is found by inspection to be Substituting (3) in (4), and again rememberingthat (1 -h) :7.0,

In Fig. 4, the network-resistance Ra is the equivalent of three parallel-connected resistors SR, hR and ICR. Remembering that (h-i-k)=1, We nd the network-resistance to be hksR his -I- s (6) We have thus found that the network of Fig. 2 applies a voltage to the relay restraint-coil TR in series with an internal network-resistance The operating relay-coil 20 supplies a. relayactuating magneto-force of enough ampere-turns to;.:-be;.theequivalentgof constant operatingevoltgel to a coil having the same `number otturnsandtheA Asame resistance.4 as .the restraint-coil -1-R. ...This

@operating-voltage is thus equal .and opposite,fin itseiect,to.the .constant part ofthe 4restraintcoil response.. Theminus or negative `part of the restraint-.coil voltage lthus `becomes-thaonly ef ffectivevoltageon therelay, operating. in .a relay` actuatingdirection. Itmakes the-relayoperate, as if.. its restraint-coilJR were .the only., relaycoil, and as ifthis coil wereimpressed by, thevoltage in serieswith a -resistance hksRv .:hc-l-s iiinadditiontoit-sownV coilf-resistance'TR.

In the particular form'oi network which-is illustrated in'jFigsrlyand 2, the rectienRa' can- -notcarry a relay=current in the negative 'direc- -tion,v or direction-opposite'- to* the `Inesh-cmrent I1 in vFig. 2.1"'For this reason, aseparate. relaycoil 20 iserequiredrfor vthetconstant negative' reisillustrated inI Figs. and 2,- the: control-ecircuit 'straint-excitation.

- Also, inthefparticularform of network which @rectifier-bridge' Ba cannot .carry current inl the negativev direction, Y orv directionopposite to .the

Vmesh-current I2 in. Fig. 2. Fory this reason; the

relativevaluesof h3; k, 'sand r, (or the position of theislider t'on the-potentiometer R, in Fig." 1);"

`'must-be such thatA the 'voltage' of the point t is never negativewith respecttUthepfJint p.' not even when thez'control voltage E2 is zero" Itis convenient tocho'osethe' constants so that varies'between zeroand while the I control-voltage Ez` varies between--zero uand i the fmaximum control-voltage value `which is to have any effect on the network, that is,-the

value at which the equivalent network-voltagesv En becomes zero.'-This-voltage Eo cannot become negative, in the particular form of network shown in Figs'. lrand 2, because'of the presence of the rectifier Ra.

Fig. 6 shows a much simpler form of embodiment of my invention, without the voltage-adjustment features of Fig. 1. In Fig. 6, the coefficient k of Fig. 1 has been made infinite, and the coefficient h of Fig. 1 has been made' zero. The three rectied bridge-voltages are simply subtracted from the voltage of the positive terminal q of the battery E1. No potentiometer R is used. The rectiers Re, Rb and Re select the largest of the difference-voltages (E1-Ez) and apply it directly to the relay restraint-coil TR,

and the relay operating-coil 20 furnishes the same number of ampere-turns as appear in the restraint-coil TR when the minimum controlvoltage E2 is zero.

In both Figs. 1 and 6, it will be noted that the ;-fzshuntingeresistorsffsR :f provide-'rbypassingfiA paths 1. :aroundr the rrespective rectifier-bridges Ba, Bri-.and

Betso. that: .-the downwardly v.flowing current; in the individual .rectierr Ra which. is., associated .withx the; minimiumcontrol-voltage .En can ow downwardly. t through the; corresponding shuntingeresistor sR, without having. to flow g downsi: swardlygi inv the none-conducting direction,.through tY the f 'corresponding-fV minimum-.voltage rectier- `iniclge .Burnin thisiway, avoidplacing the rela- .:ti'vely large-back-current resistance of the rectider-icaridge-Bf.` in series. with the restraint-coil rR.

/ While 'I have illustrated -my inventionv in but .,fftwo preferred forms of embodiment, and while Lhave discussed its; principal requirements and :omissions-,and substitutions? Without e departing lifrcm;.theressential spirit of myinvention .I desire, therefore, that the appended. claimsshall Y :be accorded the broadest; .construction consistent -r with their language.

Iiclaimras my invention:

hA minimumi-.voltage-responsive deviceY for responding. to thewsmallest one of a plurality of `unidirectional controlevoltages, comprising the combination, with aplurality offunidirectional control-voltage.r` source-means which are impressed with the-respective unidirectional controlkvoltagesof van auxiliarvunidirectional reference- .voltageV source-meanswhich is .impressed with a ...unidirectional ,reference-voltage; aV plurality; of

. circuit-means, including individual-circuit rectiers, for separately; connecting the lseveral con- ."trol-voltage'source-means between a first termi- .nal of said reference-voltagesource-means ,and Y a commonoutput-terminal of the device, said nrstyterminal of: said reference-voltage sourcecan :occur only in the.l individual-circuit. recticr 2which is--connected to the; control-voltage sourcel meanshaving the minimum control-voltage, and i means connected to said common output-termi- ..nal; of the device,` and to two terminalsv of said control-voltage:A source-means.` in suchv manner as to'obtain a response to the difference between the source-voltage. and thevselected maximum f-difference-Voltage of` the network-terminals,

:.fwhereby; a. response isgobtained substantially solely; to thel smallest of the -control-voltages.

-. 2;.A minimum-.voltage-responsive devicev for responding.tothe-smallest one', of a plurality of unidirectional controlvoltages,-comprising the combination, .with a plurality of unidirectional control-voltage source-means which are impressed with the respective unidirectional control-voltages, of an auxiliary unidirectional reference-voltage source-means which is impressed with a unidirectional reference-voltage, a first common circuit-means connected to a first terminal of said reference-voltage source-means, a, second common circuit-means connected to an opposite-polarity terminal of said reference-voltage source-means, having a polarity opposite to that of said rst terminal of said reference-voltage source-means, a plurality of circuit-means, including individual-circuit rectiers, for separately connecting the several control-voltage source-means between said rst and second common circuit-means, said iirst and second common circuit-means being each connected to the likepolarity terminals of the several control-voltage source-means, the individual-circuit rectifiers being connected in such polarity that a substantial current-flow can occur only in the individualcircuit rectifier which is connected to the control-voltage source-means having the minimum control-voltage, a diierential electro-responsive element having an operating-coil and a restraintcoil, means for energizing the operating-coil from said reference-voltage source-means, so that said operating-coil is responsive to said referencevoltage, and means for energizing the restraintcoil in series with one of said rst and second common circuit-means, so that said restraintcoil is responsive to the difference-voltage between a voltage ci said reference-voltage sourcemeans and said minimum control-voltage, the strengths of excitations of the two coils being such that together they provide a net response substantially solely to the smallest of the control-voltages.

3. A minimum-voltage-responsive device for responding to the smallest one of a plurality of unidirectional control-voltages, comprising the combination, with a plurality of unidirectional control-voltage source-means which are impressed with the respective unidirectional control-voltages, of an auxiliary unidirectional reference-voltage source-means which is impressed with a unidirectional reference-voltage, a potentiometer connected across said reference-voltage source-means, said potentiometer having an adjustable tap-means for providing an intermediate reference-voltage terminal of a first polarity, circuit-means for connecting said intermediate reierence-voltage terminal to the like-polarity terminals of each of said control-voltage source` means, a plurality of circuit-means, including individual-circuit rectiers, for separately connecting the opposite-polarity terminals of the several control-voltage source-means to a common output-terminal of the device, the individual-circuit rectiers being connected in such polarity that a substantial current-flow can occur only in the s' individual-circuit rectifier which is connected to as to obtain a response to the difference between the source-voltage and the selected maximum difference-voltage of the network-terminals. whereby a response is obtained substantially solely to the smallest of the control-voltages.

4. A minimum-voltage-responsive device for responding to the smallest one of a plurality of unidirectional control-voltages, comprising the combination, with a plurality of unidirectional control-voltage source-means which are 1mpressed with the respective unidirectional control-voltages, of an auxiliary unidirectional reference-voltage source-means which is impressed with a unidirectional reference-voltage, a potentiometer connected across said reference-voltage source-means, said potentiometer having an adjustable tap-means for providing an intermediate reference-voltage terminal of a rst polarity, circuit-means for connecting said intermediate reference-voltage terminal to the like-polarity terminals of each of said control-voltage sourcemeans, a plurality of circuit-means, including individual-circuit rectiers, for separately connecting the opposite-polarity terminals of the several control-voltage source-means to a common output-terminal of the device, the individual-circuit rectifiers being connected in such polarity that a substantial current-now can occur only in the individual-circuit rectifier which is connected to the control-voltage source-means having the minimum control-voltage, a plurality of other circuit-means, including individual-circuit impedances, for separately connecting the aforesaid opposite-polarity terminals of the several control-voltage source-means to the iirst-polarity terminal of the reference-voltage source-means, having the same polarity as the polarity of said adjustable tap-means of the potentiometer, a differential electro-responsive element having an operating-coil and a restraint-coil, means for energizing the operating-coil from said referencevoltage source-means, so that said operating-coil is responsive to said reference-voltage, and means for energizing the restraint-coil from said common output-terminal of the device and from an opposite-polarity terminal of said reference-voltage source-means, having a polarity opposite to that of said adjustable tap-means of the potentiometer, so that said restraint-coil is responsive to the difference-voltage across said two terminals, the strengths of excitations of the two coils being such that together they provide a net response substantially solely to the smallest of the control-voltages.

SHIRLEY L. GOLDSBOROUGH.

No references cited 

